1994 G.I. Joe Manta Ray – A Forgotten Inflatable Classic
Welcome to the Outpost. Today I’m taking a look at the 1994 G.I. Joe Manta Ray. This year was slim picking for GI Joe vehicles. Although the Manta Ray is not a vehicle many people are after it is a neat little vehicle with a few gimmicks that may have been fun back in the day. This does inflate much like the inner tubes at the Lazy River, so this would have been fun in the pool or even at bath time I suppose.
Underneath there is a rubber band attached to a propeller that can be wound up at to some degree so the boat will propel through the water. This also has a spring loaded cannon on the front so that is always fun to try and hit a target with a missile. This original inflatable life raft from the 1960’s was probably the inspiration for this vehicle.
I think this would be a cool vehicle with some upgraded colors and a more advanced propelling system. Overall it has its place in GI Joe history and goes snuggly with the rest of 1994. Who had a Mantra Ray as a kid? Make sure to check back for our next discussion.
